As the world embarks on the pathway to net-zero emissions, Canada is primed to capitalize on the rising international demand for the vital minerals wanted for the transition to a low-carbon and digitalized financial system. As the one nation in North America with the required mineral sources to provide superior batteries for electrical autos, the chance for our minerals and supplies sector is unprecedented. Not solely does Canada have distinctive mineral wealth, different elements akin to undisputed ESG (atmosphere, social and governance) credentials, and acknowledged experience in mining, metallurgy and supplies science, have the potential to place Canada because the main accountable and dependable provider of vital minerals, not solely in North America, however globally.
As broadly reported, the worldwide demand for vital minerals is anticipated to extend considerably over the approaching a long time to feed the manufacturing necessities for renewable power and clean-technology purposes, akin to electrical autos (EVs) and grid storage batteries, everlasting magnets, photo voltaic panels, wind generators and small nuclear reactors. As well as, vital minerals will proceed to be wanted for superior manufacturing purposes together with defence and safety applied sciences, client electronics and semiconductors. The World Financial institution and the Worldwide Power Company (IEA) mission international demand for EV and battery-storage minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel and graphite to extend 10 to 30 occasions by 2040, relative to 2020. In the end, the worldwide vital minerals market is anticipated to be valued at US$400 billion by 2040 in line with the IEA. Increasingly, the management of vital minerals and their worth chains is changing into a robust foreign money within the evolving inexperienced financial system.
Many developed, industrialized economies have compiled lists of vital minerals, most primarily based on provide chain vulnerabilities. In March 2021, Canada launched its first ever vital minerals checklist. Thirty-one minerals are deemed important to Canada’s financial safety and are required for the nation’s transition to a low-carbon financial system. Canada already produces over 60 minerals and metals and is a number one international producer of a number of vital minerals, together with nickel and cobalt, and has the potential to provide extra for each home and worldwide markets. Canada additionally has important lithium and graphite sources, and is host to quite a lot of superior stage initiatives for uncommon earth components (REEs).
Whereas our geologic endowment is actually a bonus, it’ll take greater than wealthy deposits to change into a pacesetter in vital mineral worth chains. Canada’s extremely expert geological, mining, metallurgical and supplies workforce might want to work collaboratively to supply the innovation essential to remodel rocks within the floor into superior vital mineral worth chain inputs and superior end-products, which might be each economically and ESG aggressive.
Associated: The provision chain hyperlink
Strategically, Canada has a powerful basis of innovation and ESG efficiency. Via packages just like the Mining Affiliation of Canada’s In the direction of Sustainable Mining program, mineral traceability initiatives, and modern mineral analysis and growth (R&D), Canada has cemented its place among the many world leaders in minerals and metals. Constructing on the lately accomplished R&D program on uncommon earth components and chromite, Canada launched main funding for focused analysis and growth for upstream vital minerals processing and battery precursors and associated supplies engineering from main and secondary vital mineral sources, and the formation of a Canadian Vital Minerals Centre of Excellence. These investments will additional contribute to advancing Canada’s vital mineral industries.
A collective effort throughout the nation and throughout worth chains is required to make sure success. A number of Canadian provinces have developed or are growing vital minerals plans or methods. Most jurisdictions acknowledge that vital minerals are key to a inexperienced restoration post-pandemic and the premise for sustainable wealth. As well as, we’re seeing wanted funding into foundational infrastructure to assist these vital mineral worth chains akin to Saskatchewan’s $31 million funding to construct a uncommon earth processing facility to ship particular person high-purity REEs.
We’re not alone on this alternative. Allied companions wish to Canada to assist construct precedence worth chains as a supply of accountable and safe provide for vital minerals. In January 2020, Canada and the U.S. introduced the Joint Motion Plan on Vital Minerals to advance our mutual curiosity in securing these provide chains. Recognizing our potential, Canada, together with Australia, have been lately invited to hitch the Vital Minerals Trilateral (US-EU-Japan) international partnership.
One other rising aspect of the vital minerals house is the event of worldwide requirements. ISO requirements have traditionally been seen as strictly technical, however extra lately there was rising curiosity in worldwide requirements for vital minerals. Canada is main the event of a number of vital minerals requirements, such because the traceability normal for uncommon earth components, and is an energetic member of ISO’s new strategic advisory group on vital minerals.
The time is now to leverage Canada’s minerals and metals to foster home vital mineral industries and construct full sturdy worth chains. This contains using round approaches to speed up manufacturing and scale back carbon emissions. By strengthening and increasing vital mineral ecosystems, domestically and globally, Canada will be capable of take full benefit of the chance that lies forward.
Janice Zinck, former director of vital minerals and strategic sources, Pure Assets Canada, is executive director, Geoscience and Mines
On the eve of the closure of the Dome mine, CIM Journal spoke with present and former staff about its place in mining historical past
Ladies of Innovation recounts the tales of 20 inspiring and modern ladies engineers in Canada
